Jenny Peek

Jenny Peek is a tried-and-true Madisonian. Born and raised on the east side, she went from Purgolder to Badger to pursue her passion for writing. Since graduating from UW-Madison's School of Journalism, Jenny has worked as a freelance writer, covering a variety of topics from animal research to political races to infectious diseases. She loves becoming an expert on a topic in order to tell an interesting and important story to her readers. If you have a lead, let her know!

Six candidates believe they have the experience and vision to help Madison schools grapple with racism, behavioral issues, the achievement gap and move. Isthmus talked to the candidates to find out why they’re running and what they want to achieve.Read more

11.7 percent of Madison residents were born in another country, but their stories are often lost in the heated rhetoric over ICE raids and border walls. The multimedia project, Green Card Voices, aims to humanize their experiences.Read more

Sherman Middle School ended last year in turmoil, with the resignation of its principal and accusations of racism. An interim principal is trying to heal the wounds, but mistrust and skepticism remain.Read more

Attorney general is officially a non-partisan gig — whoever holds the office pledges to be non-partisan. But Josh Kaul argues that Brad Schimel has been guided by ideology in every decision. Kaul hopes to replace Schimel in the Nov. 6 election.Read more

Two Madison school board seats are up for election, but only one of them is being contested. Incumbent Anna Moffit will be challenged by Gloria Reyes, who is currently a deputy mayor with the city. Mary Burke is running unopposed.Read more

For years, Isthmus Montessori Academy has been unsuccessfully trying to get the Madison school district to give it public school status. But the progressive school found another route — through a program created by conservative Republicans.Read more

Research has shown that students of color do much better when some of their teachers look like them. But only 13 percent of Madison’s teachers are of color, while 57 percent of its students are. What is the district doing to improve the ratio?Read more

Melissa Terrill co-founded Forever in Our Hearts Remembrance Day to create an outlet for parents dealing with the loss of children through pregnancy, stillbirth or in early infancy. “This can be a very lonely type of loss.”Read more

Vanessa McDowell, the first woman of color to lead the Madison YWCA, wants the organization to be more forceful in fighting racism and poverty. “My vision is that we get rid of that tale of two cities.”Read more

In May, the Madison school district notified teachers they were getting raises for summer teaching. But many teachers didn’t realize that summer hours had been reduced from six to five hours a day — meaning, take home pay stayed about the same.Read more

On a smartphone, patients can chat with online support groups, access meditation tools and articles about addiction, message counselors, locate nearby meetings for Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, and track their recovery.Read more

Sustainable Seafood Week features $10 fish dishes at more than 25 restaurants. It’s the work of the Madison Area Chefs Network, Sea to Table, Sitka Salmon Shares and the James Beard Foundation.Read more

Principal Mike Hernandez is on a mission to make East High School a vital part of the community. In two years, he and his staff have brought community services into East, in hopes of engaging even the most vulnerable families.Read more